The Burning of Atlanta

Fire!

What you got for us, Claymore?

You need to report to the Lieutenant.

- What for? - I don't know.

It's real important, though. Hood wants to see you.

Oh, Lord. This could be very good or very bad.

I wouldn't keep him waitin'.

Gentlemen, I'm sure that when you heard

that I wanted to see you,

you probably thought that you'd done something wrong.

Well, yeah. (CHUCKLES)

- Crossed our minds. - Mm-hm.

Be assured, the answer to that's no.

You haven't done anything wrong.

All through this war,

I have relied on advisors to give me advice.

Some of the advisors have been Confederate officers,

some of 'em have been politicians.

Some of the advice has been good, most of it not.

Some of it's as useless as a wooden frying pan.

Well, begging the General's pardon, but-

No, no, no.

None of that with us here.

This is a conversation between you three and me.

Most of your advisors have never been in the field.

You're absolute right when it comes to the politicians.

Now, that's the reason you're here, is that I want to talk

with people who have been on the front lines.

So what can we help you with, sir?

So while we still have control over Atlanta,

we're just about to execute a plan

to totally destroy a munitions train.

Munitions? You mean Yank munitions?

No, (SIGHS) unfortunately,

this is our munitions.

And let me explain this.

We can't move the train because the track's destroyed around

and I don't want what's on that munitions train falling

into enemy hands where that can be used against us.

So you want us to blow up the train?

No, that would be essentially a suicide mission.

I've got demolition experts that are gonna do that for us.

What I need you three for is what comes next.

And what might that be?

Atlanta has a substantial warehouse district.

They've got hundreds of businesses, stores,

brokers, warehouses.

Are any of you familiar with this district?

I used to work there, sir, before the war.

As soon as the Federals take control of Atlanta,

and they move in,

I'm gonna provide you three with Federal uniforms.

So you want us to be spies?

I've never liked that term spies.

I prefer the term information-seekers.

Sounds dangerous.

Not so much.

You're not to engage the enemy in any way, shape or form.

I want you to take stock of what's in those businesses

and warehouses with particular interest

as to what could be used by Sherman's army,

especially when he's on the move.

So what do you want us to do right now?

The Yankees have already started shelling Atlanta.

It's scattered right now,

but if they follow suit with every other siege

during this war, that's only gonna intensify.

So we gonna have to give up the city?

There's not a thing we can do about that right now.

We don't to have the men or the resources to prevent it.

When the Federals realize that,

that there's no significant resistance, they'll move in.

And that's when you need us to go in?

Correct.

Good afternoon, Mrs. Andrews.

Good afternoon, Mr. Andrews.

What's the news from the district?

We lost another customer today.

Mr. Woodridge vacated his space.

He's moving to Macon.

I don't know what good he thinks that will do

in the long run.

Is he taking those two old carriages?

He is.

I didn't even know those wheels could still roll.

What's he hauling those old crates with?

He found a couple of old mules somewhere.

He better watch out for the soldiers.

They'll snatch 'em quick.

Maybe not, James.

You know our boys are marching out.

The Yanks could invade the city any day now.

When they do, there won't be anything to hold them back.

It's just a matter of time, Charlotte.

I'm sure they're aware of our troop movements.

And when that day comes,

it will be a completely different world.

It will, but it might be something that we can handle.

I wish your Pa would get himself home.

It ain't safe for anybody to be outside at night anymore.

Did he say what time he could be expected?

He didn't say.

He's hunting for news about the battle.

Eli! What're you doing with one of your father's guns?

Put that down.

Pa says it's mine now. It ain't loaded or nothin'.

He said it was yours, to keep?

Yeah, he did.

Well, he didn't tell me anything about it.

Put that away right now.

Can I have one?

What's a boy your age want with a gun?

Pa said if anything happens to him,

I'm the man of the house.

At least I know how to shoot.

Oh, Lord.

Pa.

It's about time!

We've been worried sick about you!

You all right, John?

That engagement south of town

did not go well for our side.

You mean the Yankees won?

For now, yeah.

Are they headed this way?

Not just yet.

Well, what do you think they're doing?

Regrouping, I'd imagine.

That won't take long.

What happens after they regroup?

Whatever Sherman decides.

Oh, they'll come here.

He's got to take Atlanta.

Sounds like a storm's brewing.

Think it's thunder, Pa?

- I don't know. - It's cannon fire.

Don't you go scaring your brother now, Olivia.

She ain't scaring me.

Get away from the window, Eli.

You've not been excused from the table.

Get away from the window, Eli.

Everyone go to the next room.

Listen to your Pa. Stay away from the windows!

I told them it was cannons.

What in God's name are they shooting at?

Sounds like they're everywhere.

Are they attacking?

Maybe not.

Maybe they're just trying to scare us.

Well, they're doing a good job.

Mama, I can't find my dog.

Joshua!

Where did you go?

Joshua?

Joshua.

You stay here with me!